Mass. lawmakers to consider tribal casino compact

BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts' House of Representatives has signed off on a revised tribal casino compact between Gov. Deval Patrick and Mashpee Wampanoag.

The compact was approved and sent to the Senate on a 116-38 vote Wednesday after warnings from some southeastern Massachusetts lawmakers that the agreement could wind up costing the region the economic benefits of casino development.

Under the compact, the state would likely receive 15 percent or 17 percent of the tribe's gambling revenues if a proposed casino in Taunton is built.

The Mashpee still face several other obstacles, most notably a requirement that the tribe obtain land-in-trust approval from the federal government.

An earlier compact between the state and tribe was rejected by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, but supporters say they expect the revised agreement to be approved by the bureau.